The risk is actually worse with SR, getting done for importation, and in higher amounts, intent to distribute, is much worse. The risk of getting caught purchasing drugs "on the street" if you keep your wits isn't all that high in my experience, although the quality is lower and the price is higher.
In my experience, dealers aren't too violent here, nothing compared to the stories of the US, especially in the 'ghetto'
My knowledge isn't based on bikies pushing drugs, but even then I assume a lot of the violence is with rival bikie gangs peddling drugs and interfering with their business, not directed at their customers, but this is just an assumption.
The one 'bigger' dealer I knew was not violent.